NATE LOWERED HIS baby girl into her crib. “Good night, sweetheart.”
She was already sound asleep, her belly full. He was finding he loved these middle-of-the-night feedings. It was a time when the world was still and quiet, when he could take the time to reflect on how utterly happy he was.
He reached into the pocket of his robe and felt something. Damn. He’d almost forgotten. He pulled the object free and walked over to the shelf that flanked the white crib. Placing the doll carefully in the spot he’d chosen, he touched its hand.
Arms encircled his midsection, and warm lips tickled his neck. “I have a lot to be grateful to her for.”
Nate didn’t ask who she meant; he knew. “It’s still hard to think about her death.”
“I know. But there’s an awareness out there now, that our island is not exempt from things like schistosomiasis. And you’re watching for it now. It won’t take you by surprise again.”
She was right. They’d treated three more cases over the last couple of years, all of them children. All of them had lived. Maybe Marie was somehow looking down on them, watching over her island and its inhabitants.
Sasha turned him around to face her. “Guess who I saw in town today?”
“Who?”
“Uncle Art.”
Two years after his diagnosis, treatment had put him into remission. He would live with the condition for the rest of his life. But he was making the most of whatever time he had left.
“You did?”
“Yes. He was with Corinne.”
He cocked his head, trying to place the name. “You mean the Corinne? The one whose parents broke them up?”
“Yep. And they looked pretty chummy.” She reached up and cupped his face. “Wouldn’t it be great if they got their happy ending too?”
“It would, indeed.” Sasha’s amyloidosis test had come back negative for the gene. They’d both been relieved, and while they’d already talked about having children, it had erased any lingering doubts. Dayna Marie Edwards had made her way into the world kicking and screaming and letting everyone know she was taking after her mama. She still was. Their baby was direct and to the point about what she needed and when she needed it. And Nate couldn’t love her more. Couldn’t love her mother more.
She glanced up at him. “Your mom called today. They booked their flight for next week.”
Nate frowned. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
This would be his parents’ third visit. The first time was at the gala, when he’d been too busy wooing Sasha to spend time with them. The second time was at their wedding a year ago. The fences weren’t completely mended, but they were working on it. Thanks to Sasha’s wisdom and her canny knack of moving chess pieces into just the right spot.
He still couldn’t believe she was his. And he was hers. But he was never going to take her for granted. Never going to take their love for granted. They could have so easily lost it all.
But thank God they hadn’t.
“Hey, come on.” He leaned down to kiss her. “You need your sleep. I’m hoping she won’t wake up again.”
But if she did, Nate would come get her and bring her in to nurse so that Sasha wouldn’t have to make the trek. It was the least he could do, and he did it with a grateful heart. He had the family he thought he’d never have.
The family who’d stolen his heart and then given it back. The family who showed him every single day how loved he was. And that was worth more than money to Nate.
It was...everything.
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